Special schools compete to become Panathlon champons thanks to JCB Group's sponsorship

Around 95 disabled youngsters from across schools in Kent have been
able to take part in a Paralympics-style challenge thanks to sponsorship
from local car dealer group, JCB Group.

The Panathlon challenge aims to create more sporting opportunities
for disabled young people, encouraging them to be involved regardless of
their impairment, whether physical, cognitive, mental, sensory,
emotional or developmental. The challenge comprises of Paralympics
style-sports, including tag rugby, table skills, football, boccia,
polybat, kurling and field and track athletics.

Four district teams qualified for the Kent Panathlon Final at Medway
Park, with the contestants being joined by new Minister for Sport Tracey
Crouch and Paralympian Steve Brown, as well as Group HR Manager for the
JCB Group Anna-Lisa Devoil and JCB Volkswagen Medway’s Brand Maker,
Eveie Pryke.

Ashley Icenton Chief Executive for the Panathlon charity said: "The
Panathlon gives pupils from special schools the opportunity to represent
their school in a nationally recognised initiative. It encourages sport
and physical activity for all levels of disability and children who may
not traditionally take part.”

Commenting on the final, Minister for Sport Tracy Crouch said: “It
has been fantastic to see so many young disabled people competing.”

Panathlon Patron Steve Brown, who captained Team GB’s wheelchair
rugby team at the 2012 London Paralympics said: “It’s great to be back
to another Panathlon event again so soon and seeing such determination
on the faces of all the competitors.”

He added: “It’s been fantastic to witness the high sporting ability at the final.”

Malling and Sevenoaks district won their first Kent Panathlon title
after several hours thrilling competition. The team, made up of students
from Five Acre Wood, Grange Park and Valence Schools, pipped Canterbury
and reigning Kent champions Ashford to the title in the tensest of
three-way finishes, ahead of the team from Sheppey and Sittingbourne.

The JCB Group, who have been named the top Volkswagen (VW) retailer
in the South East following the VW One Business Awards for 2015, which
recognises first-class customer care and excellent repair and
maintenance facilities, not just volume of sales; deem supporting
community projects as an important aspect of its business.

JCB Group HR Manager Anna-Lisa Devoil was on hand with colleague
Eveie Pryke to present medals to those taking part. She said: “All the
children are extremely inspiring and they have all worked really hard
for their medal. We feel humbled to have been part of this and we have
had a fantastic day.”

Jonathan Bischoff, Managing Director of the JCB Group said: “We are
constantly looking for ways in which we can actively support local
education and sporting projects and delighted to have the opportunity to
become sponsors of an initiative which clearly embraces both of these
important criteria. We are particularly pleased that our support has
helped to make this exciting event for children with physical and
cognitive impairments possible.”